Colourful and creative Basingstoke Festival returns for 2026

Basingstoke Festival 19th June - 5th July

Three Weekends, credit Paul Blakemore

What's On in Hampshire

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Hampshire is ready to welcome you for an unforgettable year of culture, coast and great days out. Whether you love historic cities, family‑friendly attractions or beautiful countryside, you’ll find plenty to enjoy across the county in every season.

What's on in Portsmouth, Southampton & Winchester?

2026 is packed with exciting moments. Southampton’s much‑loved City Art Gallery reopens its doors, 7th March 26, with inspiring new displays and exhibition, a must‑visit for culture‑seekers, whilst this summer at The Utilita Bowl it will host six ICC Women's T20 Cricket World Cup matches between 13–20 June 2026, making it one of the county’s biggest sporting events of the year. In Winchester, the Van Gogh Alive at Winchester Science Centre on now until 22nd March 2026, bringing the world‑famous multisensory exhibition to Hampshire for the very first time and offering visitors a new way to engage with Van Gogh’s iconic paintings in the Planetarium Dome. In Portsmouth, the city celebrates its 100th anniversary, with an host of events and a 100 things to see and do.  The highlight is the fun and colourful summer of lion sculptures dotted across streets and along the seafront  — perfect for families, art lovers and anyone looking for a fresh way to explore, 13th July - 13th September.

What's on in the Hampshire countryside?

Love is in the air at Marwell Zoo this half term, 14th - 22nd February 26, wander through the beautiful parkland to uncover adorable animal love facts, and snap unforgettable memories at the Wild at Heart photo spots. Start your journey to becoming a wine connoisseur at Quob Park Estate, Wickham, 26th March 26, with a introduction to wine tasting which includes Quob Park's expectational English Sparkling wine and six still wines from around the world. Sping is in the air at Jane Austens House, Chawton, with this years Spring Fling Festival, 1st - 4th May with guided Chawton Village walks, themed house tours, and drop‑in reading/drawing sessions. This year, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey, celebrates the 25th anniversary of the beautiful Hydrangea Walk bringing vibrant mid‑to late‑summer colour to woodland paths lined with mature camellias, flourishing hydrangeas and elegant viburnums.

From scenic coastline and vibrant events, to cosy villages, walking trails and great places to eat, Hampshire is the ideal spot for a short break or longer escape. Start planning your 2026 adventure today — your Hampshire experience is waiting.

Gin Cocktail Masterclass at Bombay Sapphire Distillery

Top Events in Hampshire

Grab your calendar and start planning your next visit to Hampshire, here our top picks for events happening in the county.

What's on in Hampshire this weekend?

To find out what's on in Hampshire today or this weekend, explore our featured list or use the 'what's on search box' above to narrow down your required date. Families on a budget can look out for the many free events (F) taking place, you'll also find plenty of fun activities for kids to do whether it's during the holidays or on a weekend break. 

Staying overnight?

If you're travelling from outside the area for an event in Hampshire, there are numerous hotels and other accommodation options to suit your needs.

>>> Search & Book Hampshire Accommodation

Hampshire events near me

The guide below shows our calendar of events in Hampshire. Whether you're looking for What's on this weekend or further ahead, whether you're local or visiting the area for the first time, find what's happening near you by clicking the 'Map View' button. Some of the events below are on the Isle of Wight, as it's easy to hop over on the hovercraft or ferry from Portsmouth or Lymington to the island. 

What's on in Hampshire

Inspiration

  1. BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair
    1. 1 May 20263 May 2026
  2. Winchester Books Festival 2026
    Winchester is a city steeped in history and with…
    1. 17 Apr 202619 Apr 2026

Number of results:

Number of results: 172

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Newport Main Carnival

    Type

    Type:

    Carnival

    Newport

    Newport Main Carnival on the Isle of Wight Carnival fever comes to the island's capital town, various locations around Newport.

    Carnival route To view the carnival route map, please visit the carnival website.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2026
  2. Easter Archery Tournament

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Beaulieu

    Aim for Adventure! Put your skills to the test this Easter. Join New Forest Activities for a fun-filled archery tournament with a seasonal twist! Learn how to shoot a real bow and arrow, then go head-to-head in exciting Easter-themed archery games…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Apr 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    From:
    9 Apr 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
  3. Taste Of The Caribbean Food and Drink Festival - Basingstoke

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Basingstoke

    The UK's biggest food festival dedicated to Caribbean food returns bigger and better for another amazing family day of food, drink, cooking demonstrations, shopping and music.

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
  4. Steamship Shieldhall Eastern Solent Cruise

    Type

    Type:

    General event

    Southampton

    The Palmerston Forts built around Britain in the second half of the 19th century represent the country’s largest ever defensive building program in peacetime. Ranging from small gun positions and bunkers to huge walled forts several acres in size,…

    Dates

    From:
    7 June 2026Open 11:00 - 18:00
  5. Beaulieu Supercar Weekend

    Type

    Type:

    Special Events

    New Forest

    Beaulieu Supercar Weekend will return on Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 August 2026. This must-see family spectacular brings some of the world's most exclusive and desirable motors to Beaulieu.

    This event is a must for all supercar enthusiasts, providing an…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2026to2 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  6. An Evening with Jake Ward

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Sarson Lane, Andover

    Friday October 2

    6:30pm

    Musical talent meets delicious fine dining at this exciting event, where the Hawk Conservancy Trust's Head Chef will be serving up a delectable three-course meal accompanied by live music from Jake Ward! The Hampshire-based…

    Dates

    From:
    2 Oct 2026Open 18:30 -
  7. Boomtown Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Ovington, Alresford

    A world of unity, creativity & freedom, Boomtown Fair is a four day festival set in the Matterley bowl in Hampshire, UK on the second weekend of August. Boomtown fuses a diverse line-up of underground and global music with boundary pushing immersive…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Aug 2026to16 Aug 2026
  8. Midsummer Music Cruise with The Dinner Set

    Type

    Type:

    General event

    Southampton

    Steam down Southampton Water to the Solent, complete with musical accompaniment, and seeing the departing cruise ships – always the chance to sound our whistle and play the ‘Shieldhall Organ’!

    Enjoy an evening in the company of The Dinner Set, two…

    Dates

    From:
    26 June 2026Open 18:30 - 21:30
  9. Sam Garrett at Portsmouth Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Music

    Old Portsmouth

    Join Sam Garrett for a rare and intimate evening of live music inside the beautiful surroundings of Portsmouth Cathedral.

    Sam Garrett is an English singer-songwriter whose music reflects his journey through Eastern philosophy, meditation, yoga and…

    Dates

    From:
    3 July 2026Open 19:30 - 22:30
  10. Caulking workshop onboard Victory Live: The Big Repair

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage & History

    Portsmouth

    Join our expert shipwrights for a fun and informative drop-in caulking workshop! Learn about this traditional technique used for centuries to seal wooden seams on ships.

    What to Expect:

    - Discover how tar-soaked rope fibres are used for caulking…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Apr 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    From:
    9 Apr 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
  11. Angola's Birthday Bash

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Sarson Lane, Andover

    Running over the May half term, Saturday May 23 – Monday June 1

    10:00am-5:30pm

    Join the Hawk Conservancy Trust over May half term as they celebrate their Secretary Bird's eighth 'hatchday'!
    The Trust are throwing Angola a week-long birthday party,…

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to1 June 2026Open 10:00 - 17:30
  12. Pizza and Milkshake Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Whiteley, Fareham

    Pizza and Milkshake Workshop
    Saturday 21st February 11am to 12.30pm
    Saturday 28th March 11am to 12:30pm
    Saturday 4th April 11am to 12.30pm
    Saturday 30th May 11am to 12:30pm
    Come down to Parson's Collar and create your own pizza, add toppings of…

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026Open 11:00 - 12:30
  13. Curious About Southampton

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Town Quay, Southampton

    Have fun (re-)discovering Southampton, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a safe, fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst discovering more about this fascinating and…

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2025to3 May 2026
  14. Spooky Murder Mystery

    Type

    Type:

    Special Events

    Basingstoke

    Saturday 24th October 2026

    We invite you to a murder mystery night of solving crimes and indulgent dining on Saturday 24th October at Oakley Hall Hotel in Basingstoke, Hampshire! join a cast of classic character for a Country House whodunit in…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 19:00 - 22:30
  15. Outdoor Theatre: The Great Gatsby

    Type

    Type:

    Performing Arts

    New Forest

    This Is My Theatre presents The Great Gatsby on Thursday 13 August 2026.

    Step into the roaring 1920s, where the champagne flows, the jazz trumpet blows, and the American Dream gleams with irresistible allure. This electrifying stage adaptation of F…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Aug 2026Open 18:30 - 20:00
  16. Spring Autojumble

    Type

    Type:

    Special Events

    New Forest

    The Spring Autojumble is back on 16 – 17 May 2026. Perfect for hunting down that hard-to-find part, discovering unique vintage clothing and collectibles, or just enjoying a great motoring-inspired day out!

    Join the automotive treasure hunt as the…

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026to17 May 2026Open 09:30 - 17:00
  17. Steam to the Solent with Jim Splice and The Main Brace

    Type

    Type:

    General event

    Southampton

    Steam down Southampton Water to the Solent, complete with musical accompaniment from ‘Jim Splice and The Main Brace’, a four piece band playing songs of the sea. Included in their play list will be some popular songs, including our own ‘Shieldhall…

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026Open 14:30 - 18:00
  18. Sea Sound Explorers at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage & History

    Portsmouth

    Explore the science of sound by investigating how different instruments create vibrations and how those vibrations travel through air, water and solid materials, just like they do at sea.

    Families will experiment with a range of instruments to see,…

    Dates

    From:
    8 Apr 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    From:
    9 Apr 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    From:
    10 Apr 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
  19. Easter Eggsplorers

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Winchester

    Head to Marwell Zoo for a cracking Easter, with family fun across the zoo.
    Enjoy traditional garden games, including egg rolling and sack races. Head to the Easter Craft Den to make a nature-themed Easter keepsake and then settle down for…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Mar 2026to12 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  20. Ventnor Children's Carnival

    Type

    Type:

    Carnival

    Ventnor

    Children's Carnival in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight Fun for all the family at Ventnor Children's Carnival! 

    Carnival route information For the route details please visit the carnival website.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Aug 2026